Virtoba X5 vs. BoboVR Z4

Update: In August, I bought a FiiT VR 2S, and that is now my new favorite. But I’m also still recommending the BoboVR Z4 headset, because of its 120-degree field of view, built-in headphones, and built-in control button.

Last month, I received a free review copy of the Virtoba X5 headset from GeekBuying, and a couple of weeks later, the BoboVR Z4 that I ordered myself finally arrived.

You can read my review of the Virtoba X5 here. In the review, I used the names of the headsets interchangeably, since I though they were the same headset, sold under different brand names.

But now that I’ve got both of them in front of me, I decided to take a closer look.

On the surface, they do look very much alike.

Even the packaging looks identical.

The Virtoba X5 box is on the left, BoboVR Z4 is on the right.

But then, if you look closely, you’ll see differences. For example, even though the models are photographed in similar poses, those are clearly two different guys.

There are small differences on the headsets themselves, as well. For example, the white plastic of the headsets are a shade different.

Another very minor difference is the connector that plugs into the audio port of the smartphone, so you can listen through the headset’s headphones.

Virtoba X5, on the left, and BoboVR Z4, on the right.

On the BoboVR Z4, the cord is longer, and is wound into a spiral. The Virtoba X5’s cord is straight, and shorter.

The control buttons on the bottom of the headsets also seem to be slight different. I liked the feel of the BoboVR one better — the Virtoba button seemed a tiny bit loose, though I wouldn’t have noticed anything if I hadn’t been going back and forth between the two headsets, comparing the buttons.

But the biggest difference is in the padding around the lenses.

The Virtoba X5 box is on the left, BoboVR Z4 is on the right.

The Virtoba X5 has spongy foam padding, while the BotoVR Z4 has a leathery look, a little bit like driving gloves.

BoboVR Z4 padding.

The BoboVR Z4 padding, above, looks better. The opening is also a bit wider, leaving more room for glasses.

Virtoba X5 padding.

The Virtoba X5 padding is comfortable enough, but the opening is smaller, leaving less room for glasses. My glasses, for example, even though they are on the small side, dug into the foam, and when I tried wearing them with the headset anyway, they squished up against my eyeballs.

Both headsets had the same two minor issues that bugged me. First, the springy metal piece that holds the smartphone in place has only a tiny bit of material covering it, and it could damage the back of the smartphone if it wears off.

Second, the focal adjustment works by physically moving the part of the headset that holds the smartphone away or towards the lenses — instead of moving the lenses inside the headset, as other devices do. This means that if you have the focal distance at its maximum, say, and hold the headset tight, you will squeeze it back together and ruin the focus.

My advice, if you wear glasses, is to go with the BoboVR Z4. Otherwise, both seem fine, and if you want this style of headset, go for the one that has the best price or delivery times or bundled Bluetooth controller.

I was originally very excited about this headset — in either version. The field of view, the built-in headphones, the button. These are all unique or rare features in headsets in this or any other price range.

But now that I’ve had them around for a while, I’ve discovered that I don’t use them. I reach for the DeePoon instead, which doesn’t have built-in headphones, has a smaller field of view, and has no control button — but it is smaller so it takes up less space on my shelf, lighter, and is easier to use.

Maria Korolov is editor and publisher of Hypergrid Business. She has been a journalist for more than twenty years and has worked for the Chicago Tribune, Reuters, and Computerworld and has reported from over a dozen countries, including Russia and China.

lmpierce

Actually, I have a Virtoba X5 headset, and it has the coiled audio cord and the better eye cushion that looks like fake leather with small breather holes. In other words, my Virtoba X5 looks exactly like your Boba ZR V4. Like you, my headset came from GeekBuying. As you know, I am awaiting the Virtoba Elite for review.

I actually just got a Leji VR Mini in the mail, and will be reviewing it today.

Jim Lucero

Please tell me where you bought yours. I ordered the bobovr and it was quite the opposite from what I expected. It looked
nothing like the pictures I have seen on the various websites. It had a sponge face vs the faux leather and it didn’t have the spiral cord which makes it a lot shorter. My phone has a jack on the bottom so it couldn’t reach. I have to buy an extension for it.

Hmmm…. Myself, I’d pick the Deepoon because I liked how small and how easy it was to use, and I have a controller so I don’t care about the button and I don’t play games, so the field of view isn’t that critical. But overall the BoboVR Z4 Mini is a better set.

Orxan Huseynov

I not only for games. for me it is important to keep your eyes tired, his head was ill, and that I was getting the most out of virtual points during the holidays. And so I want to finally decide what to take deepon v3 or bobovr z4 mini? and to the setting QR-code was easy to understand, to have more applications. Thanks!

Not sure about the tired eyes and ill head. I guess you’re talking about motion sickness? That’s less an issue of the headset as about the speed of the smartphone. Also, it helps if you stay away from any app that has motion, like racing games, or games where you walk around inside virtual worlds. Those make a lot of people sick. (Including me!)

Both headsets have adjustable focus. Whether it’s good enough for your eyes or not probably depends on your eyes. Both were fine for me.If you wear glasses, the Bobo VR has slightly more space for them.

and please tell me if you choose between deepoon v3 or Fiit VR 2S which is more suitable for my phone with a diagonal of 5.2? The fact that no eBay, no AliExpress is not the original Bo-Bo, so I’m forced to choose between deepoon and fiit. Thanks.

Orxan Huseynov

Hi Maria! and please tell me if you choose between deepoon v3 or Fiit VR 2S which is more suitable for my phone with a diagonal of 5.2? so I’m forced to choose between deepoon and fiit. Thanks.

If I, personally, were to choose between them, I’d pick the FiiT. But that’s just because I personally like it better. But for a while, the Deepoon was my favorite set and the one I reached for first, so I was pretty happy with it, too. A lot of it depends on your personal feelings, how the headsets fit on you, how your eyes match the way the lenses are set up, etc… etc…

Either way, the headsets are going to be obsolete very very quickly, so the choice isn’t particularly a big deal right now.